Thursday, December 22, 2011

Company to invest $85 million to establish fulfillment center in Chesterfield County

RICHMOND – Governor Bob McDonnell today announced that Amazon.com.kydc LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and affiliate of Amazon.com, Inc., will invest a total of $135 million to establish two fulfillment centers in Virginia. The company will invest $85 million and create 1,000 jobs in Chesterfield County, and invest $50 million in Dinwiddie County, creating 350 new jobs.

Speaking about today's announcement, Governor McDonnell said, "This project that includes a $135 million investment and more than 1,350 new jobs is a tremendous win for the greater Richmond region. Amazon is a billion dollar company that is known all over the world, and the new centers in Chesterfield and Dinwiddie counties will fulfill orders from placement to delivery within their target customer range in just one to two days. Amazon operates data centers in three other locations in Virginia, and the establishment of these new operations is testament to the positive business climate and success the company has experienced in the Commonwealth."

"We are so pleased that international Internet giant Amazon has selected Chesterfield County for its new one million square foot fulfillment center," said Art Warren, Chairman of the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors. "It is exciting that this outstanding announcement coincides with the opening of the new Meadowville interchange which will benefit everyone, present and future. And, the infrastructure surrounding this announcement further positions the Meadowville Technology Park as a key destination for business. Welcome Amazon as the newest member of our corporate family!"

Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), a Fortune 500 company based in Seattle, opened on the World Wide Web in July 1995 and today offers Earth's Biggest Selection. Amazon.com, Inc. seeks to be Earth's most customer-centric company, where customers can find and discover anything they might want to buy online, and endeavors to offer its customers the lowest possible prices. Amazon.com and other sellers offer millions of unique new, refurbished and used items in categories such as Books; Movies, Music & Games; Digital Downloads; Electronics & Computers; Home & Garden; Toys, Kids & Baby; Grocery; Apparel, Shoes & Jewelry; Health & Beauty; Sports & Outdoors; and Tools, Auto & Industrial. Amazon Web Services provides Amazon's developer customers with access to in-the-cloud infrastructure services based on Amazon's own back-end technology platform, which developers can use to enable virtually any type of business.

"We look forward to opening two new Amazon facilities in the Richmond area next year, bringing tens of millions of dollars and hundreds of new jobs to the state," said Dave Clark, vice-president, Amazon North American Operations. "We're grateful to Governor McDonnell and other state, county and local officials for their commitment to our investment in Virginia."

As a new member of the Chesterfield and Dinwiddie County communities, Amazon also announced that it is donating $10,000 to the Federation of Virginia Food Banks, which will be allocated to food banks in these counties.

"Chesterfield and Dinwiddie counties were chosen for this significant project due to the ease and speed with which the facilities can be built and become operational," said Jim Cheng, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. "In addition, the skill and availability of the region's workforce were key factors. We are thrilled that Amazon recognized the assets and solid infrastructure in place in the greater Richmond region and will make a great investment to establish its newest fulfillment centers in Virginia."

"We are extremely proud to have Amazon locate in Chesterfield County. Their name is certainly known worldwide and we are pleased to be a part of their dynamic growth. We are very fortunate that a strong cooperative spirit, even in tight economic times, has generated positive results," said Jay Stegmaier, County Administrator for Chesterfield County.

Both the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce and the Chesterfield Business Council expressed their excitement and support for Amazon’s announcement. "This major economic development announcement further identifies Chesterfield County has a premier location for business and a place to live, work, and play. Congratulations Amazon and welcome to the community," said Brennan Keene, Chairman of the Chesterfield Chamber of Commerce. Mary Ellin Arch, Chair of the Chesterfield Business Council, said, "On behalf of the Chesterfield Business Council, we welcome Amazon to the region and especially to Chesterfield County. We look forward to working with you."

In addition to Chesterfield Economic Development, Amazon was assisted in their site selection process by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, the Greater Richmond Partnership, and Virginia's Gateway Region. Governor McDonnell approved a total of $3.5 million in grants from the Governor's Opportunity Fund to assist both Chesterfield County and Dinwiddie County with the project. The company is eligible to receive benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Through its Virginia Jobs Investment Program, the Virginia Department of Business Assistance will provide funding and services to support the company's recruitment and training activities.

"The location decision by Amazon, the world's largest online retailer is a true testimony of the tremendous business climate companies enjoy in our region" said Renee Chapline, Virginia's Gateway Region Executive Director.

"The news that Amazon has made two significant investments in our metropolitan area reinforces our strategy of targeting logistics companies to Greater Richmond. Chesterfield County's Meadowville site with its newly opened interchange at I-295 is well positioned to be very attractive to other companies in this industry cluster well into the future," said Gregory H. Wingfield, President, Greater Richmond Partnership, Inc.